As the chill of Wisconsin’s winter is approaching, preparing your mobile home becomes essential. Winterizing a home or mobile home is crucial to protect it from the harsh cold. Without proper winterization, pipes can freeze and burst, causing costly water damage. Heat loss through poorly insulated areas can lead to higher energy bills, and a malfunctioning heating system can leave you in the cold. Additionally, structural damage like ice dams or roof leaks may occur. Winterizing ensures your home remains warm, energy-efficient, and safe throughout the season, preventing unnecessary expenses and discomfort during Wisconsin’s frigid winters. You will find a few steps below to help guide you through possible ways to get a head start on winterizing your home for the upcoming winter.
Seal Windows and Doors
Drafts from poorly insulated windows and doors can significantly affect your home’s temperature. Apply weather stripping to doors and caulk around windows. Consider using plastic window insulation kits for an added barrier against the cold.
Insulate Your Pipes
Pipes are vulnerable to freezing in cold temperatures. To prevent burst pipes, wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation or heat tape. Ensure that the areas under your mobile home, particularly in crawl spaces, are well-insulated. Adding skirting around the base of your home will protect pipes and keep the floor warmer.
Modern mobile homes will have an exterior outlet with GFIC where heat tape can be plugged in. You need to make sure the plug is on and GFIC is not tripped. Sometimes electrical surges can trip the GFIC. If that happens your heat tape will not be on and the pipes can freeze. Check your GFIC regularly.
Check Your Shut Off Valves
Locate and check the shutoff valves for the water. In winter you have a higher chance of having water leaks. You will want to shut off your water if that happens. Make sure the shut off valves are working properly. If not, contact a plumber to replace it.
Check and Maintain the Furnace
Before winter hits, have your furnace inspected and serviced by a professional. Change or clean filters regularly to ensure your system operates efficiently throughout the winter.
Space heaters can be a good backup, but be sure to use them safely for they can often overload the electric circuits. Check the amperage of the space heater against the capacity of the fusebox. If the space heater uses more power than the fuse box, you are overloading the circuit and creating a fire hazard.
Roof, Gutter, and Ventilation Checks
Clear leaves and debris from your gutters to prevent ice dams that could damage your roof. Inspect your roof for leaks or loose shingles that might allow heat to escape. Make sure vents are clear of obstructions to avoid moisture buildup that can cause condensation and freeze in your home.
Skirting and Underpinning
Installing or repairing skirting around your mobile home helps insulate the underside of your home and prevent drafts. Skirting keeps cold air out and protects your plumbing system from freezing temperatures.
Apply Window Insulation and Thermal Curtains
Add window insulation film to your windows to reduce heat loss. Thermal curtains can further help by blocking drafts and keeping heat inside. For doors, a simple draft guard or door snake can block cold air from entering.
Inspect the Water Heater
If your water heater is located in a colder area of the home or outside, consider adding an insulation blanket to it. This will help reduce energy use and ensure hot water during the cold months.
Engage with Your Community
Living in a mobile home community has its benefits in the winter. Many people are able to find snow removal services, salt distribution, and shared resources easily inside the community. It’s also a great time to connect with neighbors for additional tips on winter preparedness or even to organize support for snow shoveling or emergency preparedness. Hillcrest Estates and Villa Diann are two popular communities around the Eau Claire, and Altoona area.
By following these winterization steps, mobile homeowners can ensure a warm, energy-efficient, and damage-free home during Wisconsin’s harsh winters. Being proactive now will save time and money while ensuring comfort throughout the season. And remember, your mobile home community offers resources to help you every step of the way.
Energy-Efficient Homes in Eau Claire
Looking for an energy-efficient and reliable mobile home near Eau Claire or Altoona, WI? Check out Hillcrest Estates and Villa Diann! Both communities offer high-quality mobile homes at affordable prices. Many of the homes are EnergyStar certified, ensuring not only comfort but also lower utility costs. Experience the perfect blend of efficiency and reliability at Hillcrest Estates in Altoona or Villa Diann in Eau Claire.
Photo by Elena Dawson at The University Of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Student Newspaper